Sylvia Park toy store worker fears for safety after $2000 Lego heist

• The Sylvia Park Toy World was robbed of $2000 worth of Lego sets by three people.
• Worker Tommer Hu said the robbers allegedly brandished a knife while making their getaway.
• The store has been targeted multiple times this year, and staff were fearful about the lead-up to Christmas.

A worker at an Auckland toy store says he is worried for his safety after robbers made off with $2000 worth of Lego sets during a “calculated” attack.

Tommer Hu says the Sylvia Park shopping centre Toy World now has taken steps to keep staff safe in the lead-up to Christmas.

Hu said the robbers allegedly brandished a knife at him as he tried to follow them out of the store.

He said the latest robbery, captured on security footage, happened five minutes before closing when a trio entered the store and “walked directly towards the Lego sets”.

“They were cleaning out the walls, they were grabbing all the Lego they could hold.”

He said he was cleaning when he heard his manager ringing the emergency bell.

Hu said the robber’s plan was “calculated” and they did not spend any time looking around for the desired spoils.

“They know exactly where the classic and expensive Legos are. These are planned operations.”

He said his manager attempted to stop the trio but was pushed to the ground.

“She was yelling at them to stop and pay.”

The in-store CCTV video shows the trio weaving around children as they make their getaway.

Hu said when they pushed her, he and a member of the public also tried to stop them but were also shoved out of the way.

Hu said the trio made away with approximately 10 Lego sets worth around $2000, mostly classic sets including Star Wars models.

Lego Ultimate Collector's Series Millennium Falcon is popular among thieves.

He said the store has been targeted multiple times over the last year.

Hu recalled another frightening incident in February where a thief racially abused him while making away with Lego sets worth hundreds of dollars.

Since then the staff have kept a hammer behind the front desk out of fear of violent robbers.

He was worried about the increase in crime during the lead-up to Christmas.

“I’m worried about my personal safety and the safety of all the staff members.”

Auckland City East police Senior Sergeant Megan Dalton said police were investigating the theft which happened just before 5pm.

Dalton said the alleged offenders left the shopping centre in a vehicle and they are appealing for information from the public.

Daltson asked anyone with information to call 105 and reference number 240929/3201.

In July, a 39-year-old Browns Bay man was arrested after he allegedly stole “a large number” of Lego sets between April 27 and June 1.

Police charged the man over 26 incidents of theft.

Officers found an “underground Legoland” after searching a property on East Coast Rd last week, a spokeswoman for police said.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.

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